Husband, wife team seek to grow church in spirit and attendance

March 22, 2014

The Rev. David Aungst has been serving Mountain View Chapel in Reedsville since February and will be officially installed during a service at 10:15 a.m. Sunday. But Aungst said leading a church is a group effort.

His wife, Elise, currently works as a substitute teacher in the Mifflin County School District, but also joins her husband in his ministry at the church.

Article Photos

The Aungst family, from left, Annalise, 7; Elise; David; Jake, 21 months; Ben 11; and Lydia, 9. The Rev. David Aungst will be installed as the new pastor of Mountain View Chapel during a service set for 10:15 a.m. Sunday at the church in Reedsville.

Photo submitted by DAVID AUNGST

"We operate as a team. We have a vision together," she said. "We're both called to serve Christ."

Together, the Aungsts aim to reach the community for the Lord. They said the church is part of their team.

"There's no big 'Is' or little 'yous,'" David said.

David is a native of Mifflin County and grew up in McVeytown, where he attended Strodes Mills Elementary and Middle School. After high school graduation, Aungst attended four years of seminary school at Pensacola Christian College, where he met Elise.

Aungst has been in ministry for 14 years, serving previous ministries as youth pastor in Mount Laurel, N.J., and senior pastor in Westfield, Pa.

Aungst said his call to the ministry came in 1995, when the pastor of the church he attended at the time did a series on decisions. He recalled a quote the pastor used, "The enemy to a best decision is a good decision." Aungst said the topic challenged him to choose the best for his life, which he found through serving the church.

In his new position at Mountain View Chapel, Aungst said his goal is to grow the church, both in spirit and attendance. He and Elise also hope to enhance already-existing ministries to reach more people.

"We're really excited about it," Elise said. "The heart of the people drove us here. This church has a vision for itself."

David said he had been considered to serve at numberous churches across the United States, but felt called to serve at the chapel in Reedsville.

"God ... He opened up the doors," he said. "It's just a blessing to be here."

Mountain View Chapel holds worship services at 10:15 a.m. weekly on Sundays. Aungst said services combine traditional and contemporary worship. Sunday School is held at 9:15 a.m. weekly on the same day.

The chapel also holds men's Bible studies at 9 a.m. weekly on Tuesdays and ladies' Bible studies at 9 a.m. weekly on Wednesdays.